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As many people across the Tristate continue to shelter in place due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, some Ohioans are pushing back.

On Thursday, during Gov. Mike DeWine's new conference group of several dozen gathered outside the Ohio Statehouse to protest the actions of his administration to restrict large gatherings, close businesses and shutter school buildings.

The Greater Cincinnati region had 35 deaths and 913 confirmed cases in 14 counties as of 4 p.m. Thursday.

Ohio has reported 5,512 positive cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. and 213 deaths.

Kentucky's state totals have risen to 1,452 cases and 79 deaths.

Indiana has 6,351 positive cases and 245 deaths.

[This story is being provided for free to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Enquirer at cincinnati.com/subscribe.]

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Protesters want Ohio to reopen

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says he’s working on a plan to ease restrictions on businesses and schools to reopen the state’s economy after the peak of novel coronavirus cases.

A group of several dozen gathered outside the Ohio Statehouse Thursday to protest the actions of the DeWine administration to restrict large gatherings, close businesses and shutter school buildings.

Those restrictions, which have helped to keep Ohioans healthy, have also crippled the state's economy. In Ohio, 226,007 unemployment claims were filed for the week that ended Saturday, according to state and federal jobs data released Thursday.

“O-H-I-O, Acton’s got to go,” the crowd chanted. Some held signs that read “Quarantine the Sick. Not the Constitution!” and “Sick = Stay Home. Healthy = Go to Work.”

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said she understands the frustration of the protesters.

"People are worried. They are afraid. They are afraid about things like their jobs," Acton said.

"Now, we have a larger category of people who are required because of their jobs to have a lot of interaction with other people, and because of that they're at a higher risk for COVID exposure," Buckner said.

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To show support for frontline responders to the new coronavirus pandemic the “Cincinnati” sign at Duke Energy Center, Fountain Square and other local buildings are lit up blue on Thursday, April 9, 2020 as part of the national #LightItBlue campaign. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer

A view of Embassy Suites by Hilton Cincinnati RiverCenter in Covington where the room lights are lit in the shape of a heart to show support for frontline responders to the new coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in Cincinnati. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer

To show support for frontline responders to the new coronavirus pandemic the video board outside Great American Ball Park facing The Banks is lit up blue to show support for front lone workers in the new coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer

To show support for frontline responders to the new coronavirus pandemic Paul Brown Stadium is lit up blue on Thursday, April 9, 2020 as part of the national #LightItBlue campaign. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer

A view of Embassy Suites by Hilton Cincinnati RiverCenter in Covington where the room lights are lit in the shape of a heart to show support for frontline responders to the new coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in Cincinnati. The lights were done as part of the national #LightItBlue campaign Albert Cesare / The Enquirer

25,000 people have recovered from COVID-19

Confirmed cases in the U.S. exceeded 465,000. The death toll was nearing 6,000 one week ago, but there have been nearly 2,000 deaths in each of the last two days, according to the Johns Hopkins University data dashboard.

Worldwide, there were 1.6 million confirmed cases and more than 95,000 deaths.

And a significant encouraging sign: A University of Washington health research center dropped its estimated U.S. death total from the coronavirus, placing the likely toll by August at about 60,000.

Deaths could fall short of projections; summer vacations 'in the cards'

Last week Fauci and the White House task force estimated U.S. deaths from the virus at 100,000 to 240,000.

“I believe we are going to see a downturn in that, and it looks more like the 60,000," Fauci said on the "Today" show. That number matches an updated estimate published by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, an independent global health research center at the University of Washington. The total would also match U.S. deaths from a severe influenza season two winters ago.

Fauci, asked on "CBS This Morning" whether Americans would be taking summer vacations, going to baseball games and holding family get-togethers, replied: "It can be in the cards."

Mnuchin: US could be back in business next month

Asked by CNBC host Jim Cramer if he thought the economy could be "open for business" in May, Mnuchin replied, "I do ... as soon as the president feels comfortable with the medical issues, we are making everything necessary that American companies and American workers can be open for business."

Guidelines issued by President Donald Trump, effective through April 30, recommend that people not gather in groups of 10 or more, not go to restaurants or bars and limit their activities outside the home.

Happiness Way, that runs off Kenwood Rd next to Jewish Hospital is closed due to construction, but someone added something extra to the sign due to the new coronavirus pandemic, Monday, March 30, 2020. Liz Dufour/The Enquirer

Barb and Tom McGrath, of Blue Ash, put up this sign in their window, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. I think it's a sentiment that many of us can relate to because of the new coronavirus pandemic. Liz Dufour/The Enquirer

Pioneer Fence Company, in Milford, plays off of stopping the spread of the new coronavirus with advertising that they now install social distancing barriers. Amanda Rossmann, The Enquirer/Amanda Rossmann

A man walks past Arnold's Bar and Grill, the oldest continuously operating bar in Cincinnati, Ohio as 'get well soon' and 'we love you Cincinnati' signs hang in the windows. The restaurant is temporarily closed to help limit the spread of the new coronavirus. Amanda Rossmann/The Enquirer

A sheet with the words, "Feeling lucky to be in Kentucky! Thank you Andy! And all essential workers!" is displayed on a home on Bakewell Street in Covington, Kentucky on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Meg Vogel/The Enquirer

A sign that plays off the current Netflix show, Tiger King, reads 'Hey all you cool cats and kittens, Carol Baskins did it!' And can be seen hanging above a storefront on Milford's Main Street. Amanda Rossmann, The Enquirer/Amanda Rossmann

A sign thanking people deemed essential during the new coronavirus pandemic hangs outside a residents on Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Over the Rhine. A view of the temporally closed Revolution Rotisserie & Bar in Over the Rhine on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Albert Cesare / The Enquirer

A sign outside Tres Belle says it all. On Friday, April 3, 2020, people who were picking up sweet treats had them delivered by unicorns. The new coronavirus pandemic has made everyone adjust to a new normal. Liz Dufour/The Enquirer

People walk in the rain carrying umbrellas, past the Mariemont Theatre, which is temporarily closed in hopes of stopping the spread of the new coronavirus. Amanda Rossmann, The Enquirer/Amanda Rossmann

A positive message can be seen from Kenwood Rd in Blue Ash at Callahan Financial, Saturday, April 5, 2020. A lot of businesses and individuals are putting up signs during the new coronavirus pandemic. Liz Dufour/The Enquirer

Air pollution enhances chances of dying from COVID-19, study says

Based on the notion that many of the underlying health conditions that enhance the risk of dying from the coronavirus are the same that are affected by long-term exposure to air pollution, researchers looked at about 3,000 counties encompassing 98% of the U.S. population.

They discovered that an increase of just one microgram per cubic meter of fine particulate matter was linked to a 15% increment in the COVID-19 death rate.

"The study results underscore the importance of continuing to enforce existing air pollution regulations to protect human health both during and after the COVID-19 crisis,'' the report concludes.

When are stimulus checks coming? Money could roll out to Americans next week

The first wave of $1,200 stimulus payments is on track to be paid the week of April 13, according to Lisa Greene-Lewis, a certified public accountant at TurboTax. The government is prioritizing the first few waves of payments in the coming weeks toward low-income Americans and Social Security beneficiaries, Greene-Lewis says.

“Direct deposit is the quickest way that people will receive their money,” Greene-Lewis says. “Then the IRS will work on issuing the paper checks.”

Some Americans were confused following conflicting reports from different corners of the government in recent weeks. The IRS said at the end of March stimulus payments would start being distributed within three weeks.

Shortly afterward, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on April 2 the first stimulus payments would arrive in some taxpayers’ accounts via direct deposit within two weeks. Then Larry Kudlow, senior economic adviser to President Donald Trump, said this week that checks could go out this week or next. Others have said they could have come as early as April 9.